BMW mulls over local production of Mini cars in India
Enthused by the immense success of the BMW Mini cars in India, the German car maker is thinking of starting production of these cars in the country. But it will be the market that will decide it and if all goes well, the production could start in the coming years. The enthusiasm in the BMW stable is following the over 300 units sale this year. Currently, the car maker offers MINI, BMW Mini Cooper and MINI Cooper S cars in India. Looking at such a progress in the first year of its launch, the car maker seemed over enthusiastic and hinted at local production of the car if the market conditions favor. In India, the BMW Mini price starts at Rs 24.9 lakh.
Now that Mini has established as a brand and it has got good response in India, there are chances that rather than importing the Mini cars in a completely built up unit form, the car maker will be importing the knocked down units and then will be assembling it at its plant. This will also help reduce the cost of the car as the import duties are more on finished goods and are less on raw materials and knocked down units in order to promote production in India. It is quite a possibility that BMW will be able to offer the Mini cars at a discounted price once the production starts in the country. It is also possible that the car giant will be exporting the cars from India to some nearby export destinations.
In a striking revelation, reports also said that BMW is already sourcing components, particularly engine technique from India and if it starts producing Mini cars in the country, it means that it will be a more profitable affair for it. As soon as the market improves and is considered apt for the local production, the car maker will be announcing it.
